Foot-warmer.



Quo. 627,555. Patentedlune 2z, |899.

C. H. WHITAKEH.

FO0T WARMER.

(Application led Feb. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

No'. 627,555. Pgtemed :une 27, |899.

C. H. WHITAKER.

FOUT WARMER.

(Application led Feb. 23, 1899.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

NITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES H. VVHITAKER, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

FOOT-WARMER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters yPatent No. 627,555, dated June 2'7, 1899.

Application tiled February 231 118,99.'y SerialrNo. '70,460. (No model.)

To a/ZZ wwm/ t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES ILWHrrAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing in the boroughof l\/Ianhattan,city of New York,State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Foot-l/Varmers, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

This invention has for its obj ect to produce an improved foot-warmer available for use wherever required, but especially intended for use in sleighs and carriages during cold weather. ciency and convenience in use are the ends chiefly in view in the improved construction; but it has been sought to produce a device of this general character which shall be free from all objections and also be capable of production at a low cost. Any suitable lamp or other heater maybe employed as the source of heat; but it is preferred to provide for the use of water or of steam as the medium by which heat is transferred from its source to the points where it can be used to the greatest advantage and with the maximum of convene` ience.

The apparatus or device, as shown in the accompanying drawings, comprises a thin fiat Warmer to which steam or hot water is conducted fro'm a water heater or boiler, which is centrally located with respect to the base or warmer and is supported above a suitable lamp or other form of heater.

In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of one fornl of the foot-warmer, the base being partly broken out to show the internal construction. Fig. 2 is a vertical central section of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a modified form of the device, the cage orprotecting-wires being omitted. Fig. i is a vertical cross-section of the device shown in Fig. 3.

The device which forms the subject of this invention may be either a hot-water heater or a steam-heaterl The form of the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ofv the drawings is adapted for use as a steam-heater only, while that shown in Figs. 3 and 4 can be used either as a steam-heater or asa hot-water heater. The form shown in Figs. 1 and 2 will first bede- `scribed,andthereafter the addition al features Simplicity in construction and efriof the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 will be described and explained with reference to said figures.

Referring now particularly to the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the device comprises a hollow base or warmer A, which is preferably thin and iiat, and if intended for use as a foot-warmer for sleighs or carriages may be of such dimensions as to receive one foot of the user on each end portion. Supported by the base A and centrally above the same is a tank B to receive the water to be boiled. `As shown in the drawings, the tank lis supported by pipes O C, which communicate with the upper portion of the tank B and with the respective end portions of the base or warmer A, the pipes communicating with Athe tank through a suitable opening, as at c,

in the base or warmer to promote circulation of the steam. For convenience in handling a bail D may be secured to the pipes or supports C, and a wire cage or guard E may be secured in place upon the base and around the pipes C to protect the tank B and the heater. The latter may be of suitable form or character and is shown as an ordinary oillamp F, supported upon the base or in a recess therein and held in place by a suitable The heater is shown as having a globe or chimney F of large diameter, which rises within a downwardly-projecting iiange b on the bottom of the tank B, so that the iiame of the lamp is protected from the drafts and the whole device be available for use as a lantern.

Whether the device is a hot-water heater or a steam-heater it is preferable that the tank B be provided with an air-chamber B', asshown in Figs. 3 and 4, and that a safetyvalve B2 be provided to prevent'the development of excessive pressure within the tank and the connected parts.v shown in these figures, the top b2 of the air chamber or dome kis threaded onto the body andcan be removed IOO If the device is to be used as a hot-water heater, it is obviously essential to provide means for the circulation of the water between the tank B and the hollow base A, and for this reason in the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 not only are the pipes C C connected to the top of the body of the tank B, but a pipe G is connected to the bottom or lower portion of the tank B and to the base or warmer A, thus affording a path for the return of the cool water from the base of the heater to the tank. The stop-cock G may be inserted in the pipe G, by means of which the passage through pipe G can be closed and the whole device then used as a steam-heater.

In order to use the construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as a steam-heater, it is simply necessary to'close the cock G and place a small amount of water in the tank B, so that steam will be generated. In order to discharge the base A of its contents, it is simply necessary to open cock G and invert the heater, so that the water will run out through the pipe G, or a screw-cap may be applied, as in Figs. l and 2.

The mode of use of the improved footwarmer will be readily understood from the foregoing description without further explanation here, as will also the advantages of the device in point of simplicity, cheapness, convenience, and efficiency.

I claim as my inventionl. A portable foot-warmer, comprising a hollow base, a tank supported over and from the middle of the base; the end portions of said base projecting beyond the heater and forming supports for the users feet, a pipe connecting the interiors of the base and tank, and a heater resting upon the middle of the base and under the tank.

2. A foot-warmer, comprising a flat, hollow foot-warming base, a tank supported centrally by the base; the end portions of the base projecting beyond the tank and serving to support the users feet and a pipe connecting the tank with the base; the tank and base being spaced apart to receive a central heater between them.

3. A foot-warmer, com prisingahollow base having a central cup or depression to receive a heater; the ends of the base projecting beyond said depression and serving to support the users feet, a tank supported above the said central depression and a pipe connecting the tank with the base; substantially as described.

4. A foot-warmer comprising a hollow footwarmin g base, a tank supported centrally above the base to allow of a heater being placed under it upon the base and the projecting ends of the base forming supports for the users feet, a pipe connecting the top of the tank with the base, and a valved pipe connecting the bottom of the tank with the base; substantially as described.

5. A foot-warmer comprising a hollow base, a tank supported by the base centrally thereabove to allow of the placing of a heater therebelow upon the middle of the base, an airchamber at the top of the tank and provided with a safety-valve, and a pipe connecting the tank with the base; the ends of the base extending far enough beyond the tank and heater to form supports for the users feet; substantially as described.

G. A foot-warmer com prising a hollow base provided with a central cup or depression, a heater supported in said depression and the ends of the base beyond said depression forming support-s for the users feet, a tank supported above the central depression and heater, a pipe connecting the base ends with the top of the tank and a valved pipe con- -necting the bottom of the tank with the base;

substantially as described.

This specification signed and witnessed this 20th day of February, A. D. 1899.

CHARLES II. VIIITAKER.

In presence of- A. L. HENTHORN, W. GREELEY. 

